Supervisor, Tooling

Honda South Carolina Manufacturing; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Honda South Carolina Manufacturing is seeking a Tooling Supervisor to lead tooling engineers and technicians in developing robust, cost-effective tooling solutions that support aerospace production. The role emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement across design, fabrication, and lifecycle management.

You will oversee tooling design reviews, supplier compliance, and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain to meet production

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field preferred; candidates without a degree may be considered with equivalent experience, including a minimum of 8 years in a manufacturing, tooling, testing, or related environment, with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in aerospace tool design and/or aircraft component fabrication environment

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Tooling Engineers, Toolmakers, and Metrology Specialists in developing creative, robust, and practical solutions for production tooling requirements.
• Manage talent development through coaching, mentoring, performance management, and succession planning to build a high-performing organization.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve tooling policies, procedures, standards, and best practices.
• Provide oversight of external tooling design reviews and ensure suppliers comply with HACI tooling standards and requirements for HACI-owned tooling.
• Manage tooling projects from concept and design review through fabrication, validation, implementation, and production release while supporting production schedule commitments.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Safety and quality focus

Manufacturing process knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Equivalent experience (8+ years)

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

CAD software

SOW management

Job description

Job Purpose

The Tooling Supervisor provides leadership and technical direction for the development and lifecycle management of production tooling systems. This role empowers teams to deliver innovative, reliable, and cost-effective tooling solutions that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and operational excellence while supporting the successful production of industryleading aerospace products

Job Purpose

The Tooling Supervisor provides leadership and technical direction for the development and lifecycle management of production tooling systems. This role empowers teams to deliver innovative, reliable, and cost-effective tooling solutions that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and operational excellence while supporting the successful production of industryleading aerospace products

Key Accountabilities

• Lead a team of Tooling Engineers, Toolmakers, and Metrology Specialists in developing creative, robust, and practical solutions for production tooling requirements.
• Manage talent development through coaching, mentoring, performance management, and succession planning to build a high-performing organization. 10
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve tooling policies, procedures, standards, and best practices.
• Provide oversight of external tooling design reviews and ensure suppliers comply with HACI tooling standards and requirements for HACI-owned tooling.
• Manage tooling projects from concept and design review through fabrication, validation, implementation, and production release while supporting production schedule commitments.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements to existing tooling designs to enhance safety, quality, manufacturability, cost, maintainability, and obsolescence management
• Drive continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Manage procurement activities, Statements of Work (SOWs), budgets, and supplier relationships for internal production tooling programs.
• Oversee tooling configuration control, records management, and traceability throughout the tooling lifecycle.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions related to tooling performance, quality issues, and production disruptions.

Qualifications, Experience, And Skills

• Minimum Educational Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field preferred. Candidates without a degree may be considered with equivalent experience, including a minimum of 8 years in a manufacturing, tooling, testing, or related environment, with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Minimum Experience:
  • minimum 5 years of experience in aerospace tool design and or aircraft component fabrication environment
• Other Job-Specific Skills
• Strong working knowledge of aerospace tooling design, fabrication, modification, validation, and lifecycle management.
• Advanced knowledge of tooling design and drafting practices, including fixture, assembly, inspection, transportation, and production tooling.
• Extensive experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and blueprint schemas, including application of ASMEY14.5 GD&T principles.
• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 and other computer-aided design (CAD) software for tooling design review and approval.
• Proven ability to evaluate tooling concepts and designs for manufacturability, safety, maintainability, cost, and production efficiency.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement corrective actions for tooling and manufacturing issues.
• Experience managing tooling design reviews, supplier technical reviews, statements of work (SOWs), procurement activities, and vendor performance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of metrology principles, tooling validation, measurement systems, calibration requirements, and inspection methodologies.
• Experience in applying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Proven project management experience leading multiple projects simultaneously, including resource planning, schedule management, risk mitigation, and status reporting.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to achieve production objectives.

Key Performance Indicators

• On time completion of Tooling Design Fabrication Implementation and Maintenance
• Budget Variance
• Percentage of Tooling out of service
• Number of tooling related quality defects

Decisions Expected

• As an integral member of the Tooling Review board, this role is expected to decide on proceeding or not with all Tooling requests new or rework/improvement.
• The Tooling Design Supervisor should influence all Tooling Designs in a way that benefits the company with regards to safety, schedule, budget and usability
• Based on internal capabilities and schedule makes the decision for Production Tooling to be fabricated internally or externally

Working Conditions

• Incumbents may be routinely exposed to equipment operational noise heat-cold-dust, and/or aircraft equipment, parts, or fuel odors.
• Incumbents may be required to stand, sit, squat, walk, bend, climb ladders, move, reach, or stretch for prolonged time periods with no restrictions, as required by job duties.
• Work in a safe and professional manner while adhering to all regulatory requirements (FAA, OSHA, DOT, EPA, State, and Federal regulations, etc.).
• Read, hear, speak, and see with no restrictions, as required by job duties.
• Comprehend and adhere to management directions and/or safety instructions with no restrictions.
• Effectively communicate in Business English language.
• Pull, push, carry, lift, or move items up to 10 lbs. throughout the work shift without assistance, as required by job duties.
• Pull, push, carry, lift or move materials/people/items/equipment weighing up to 50lbs or more during the work shift, with the use of Company provided “reach assistance technology” or “movement assist technology” (fork-lifts, pallet jacks, pulleys, dolly’s, robotics reach equipment, people movers etc.), as required by job duties.